The night sky over the Fayette City Park was filled with bright explosions of celebration Saturday night as Fayette joined with the rest of the nation in celebrating the United States of America’s 250^th birthday. An enormous display of amateur fireworks all around the park amplified the spirit of patriotism before and after the city’s annual show, put on by J&M Displays of Slater.

The displays drew a hearty round of applause through a cool haze of smoke.

The fireworks capped off a fun-filled day at the park, highlighted by the annual Independence Day parade that morning and frog & turtle races. Activities in the park this year included a musical performance by the Fayette Area Community Theatre, a pulled pork fundraiser by the American Legion, an AR-15 drawing by the Howard County Republican Central Committee, and the Little Mr. and Mrs. Firecracker pageant. The splash park and city pool granted a refuge from the hot, humid afternoon before late-day rains ushered in cool air in time for outdoor barbecues and nighttime fireworks.